Hardwood flooring is a popular interior decor trend, offering benefits like resilience and an authentic feel. But the high upfront costs of installing hardwood floors can be discouraging. Where the cost to install hardwood flooring is too high, you can opt for laminate floors.
Laminate floors mirror the features of stone or wood at a significantly lower price. They’re perfect for areas of your home that are likely to experience moisture and high traffic. Plus, laminate floors are easier to clean compared to their hardwood counterparts.
So, how much should you budget for a laminate flooring project? Generally, the average cost of laminate floors can range from $1,250 to $5,000.
However, there are a lot of factors that determine the price of laminate floors. Here’s all you need to know about laminate floor pricing in Ontario.
Cost of Laminate Flooring by Type
There are various types and designs to choose from when installing laminate floors in your home. The diversity in types enables you to install different patterns depending on your taste. However, each type comes with a unique cost.
This section covers the three main types of laminate floors and their accompanying installation costs.
Wood Laminate Floor
For installation, most wood laminate floors come with a click lock format. The click lock format means you can easily float the wood laminate onto the subfloor. Alternatively, some other wood laminate floors require glue or nail down for installation.
Wooden laminate floors are commonplace and, consequently, less expensive than other options. A wood laminate floor costs $2-$3 per square foot and comes in various sizes and colours.
Stone Laminate Floor
Costs to install a laminate floor with a stone pattern can range from $3 to $5 per square foot. The stone pattern gives stone laminate floors a weathered and venerable outlook.
Stone laminate floors also come in a click lock mostly. Hence, the installation process is smooth and easy, yielding an intricate stone slab design when you click all the parts together.
Tile Laminate Floor Cost
The average cost of tile laminate flooring is $4 to $6 per square foot. This flooring type is the most expensive answer to the question of how much to install a laminate floor.
The high installation costs for tile laminate floors offers extra benefits like design versatility. Plus, it can come in terrazzo, concrete or even granite designs.
However, the tile design doesn’t possess seals at the edges, which means they’re susceptible to warping in the presence of moisture. We advise you to install tile laminate floors in a room that experiences less to no humidity.
Take note of these differences before setting out to buy laminate flooring of any type. This prior information will guide your decision.
Related Article: How Much To Install Laminate Flooring
Cost of Laminate Flooring by Finish
The finish is the final touch to installing a laminate floor, and it can also influence overall installation costs.
Gloss Finish
A glossy laminate floor yields a shiny and polished result. The glossy finish reflects light wonderfully and is ideal for brightening darker rooms. Additionally, the radiant lustre can make a room appear larger than it is. Glossy finish on laminate floors costs $1.70 to $5.70 per square foot.
Matte Finish
The average cost of a laminate floor with a matte finish ranges from $1 to $4.50. If you’re going for a more reserved and calm look, you should install a laminate floor with a matte finish.
Matte finish on laminate floors offers a more authentic and rustic appearance. Additionally, it masks scratches and bruises efficiently.
Semi-Matte Finish
The semi-matte finish combines the best of both worlds. You get some of the allure of the gloss finish with the nuance of the matte finish. The cost for a semi-matte finish ranges from $1.50 to $3.80.
Other Factors Affecting the Cost of Laminate Flooring
How much laminate floors cost is also a function of the following variables:
Labour
Purchasing the right laminate flooring is half the job. Once you have the laminate flooring of your choice, you’ll have to install them. Now, you may decide to install the laminate flooring by yourself or pay for installation services.
Pricing for professional laminate floor installation can range from $5 to $9 per square foot. If your laminate floor is thinner, the price may go up a dollar or two due to the installation difficulty.
Application of an Underlayment
If your laminate flooring is a floating board with a click lock format, there’s a high chance you’ll need an underlayment. An underlayment protects your laminate flooring from moisture underneath the floor. The underlayment is a moisture barrier that prevents the cool ground from warping your laminate flooring.
You can buy underlayment in rolls at $20 per roll. However, prices can also vary depending on thickness and quality.
Thickness
When determining how much to install laminate floors, consider the floorboards’ thickness. The thicker the laminate flooring, the costlier it becomes. However, thicker doesn’t always mean better. The right choice depends on where you’ll install the laminate floor in your home. For context, it’s always best to install thicker laminate floors in moisture-prone areas.
| Thickness(mm) | Cost per Square Foot |
| 6 | $0.70-$1.50 |
| 7 | $0.90-$1.50 |
| 8 | $0.99-$1.99 |
| 10 | $1.99-$3.99 |
| 12 | $2.50-$5.99 |
Related Article: The Best Laminate Flooring Design Patterns
In the End
The cost to install laminate floors can be as low as $1,250. However, factors like labour, choice of finish and underlayment can increase overall project costs to $5,000.
These variables mean it’s always better to ask a flooring specialist for a price quote. You can discuss the type of laminate floor you want and how much it’s likely to cost.
Our friendly reps at LV Flooring are always ready to answer any questions you have about laminate flooring costs. Call (416) 665-5645 today or look through our online catalogue for flooring inspo!
